Funding boost for Barry Communities First project

Barry communities first bike clubPublished 17 March 2015

The future of the Vale of Glamorgan Council led anti-poverty programme Barry Communities First has been secured up until April 2016 after just over half a million pounds in additional funding was announced by the Welsh Government.

The aim of this programme is to improve the health, prosperity and learning of residents who live in parts of the Buttrills, Cadoc, Castleland, Court and Gibbonsdown wards of Barry.

Since its re-launch in March 2013 Barry Communities First have worked with the local community to deliver a range of projects which include helping job seekers to find work, helping year 6 students with the transition to year 7 and helping people to lose weight amongst many others.

Chairperson of the Barry Communities First partnership board Angela Fagan said: “I'm so happy that the Welsh Government is continuing to fund Communities First. This programme has given vital support and help to cluster residents, myself included. When I first moved to Barry I contacted Communities First, they were incredibly supportive, they offered me the opportunity to volunteer for them and invited me to attend many useful training courses, which led to me finding paid employment.”

Notable achievements so far include over 2500 jobseekers helped at three Jobs Fairs, success in supporting over 90 people into paid employment and helping over 100 people improve their IT skills.

Vale Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Lis Burnett said: “This really is excellent news for Barry. The Barry Communities First team has worked tirelessly with local communities to have a positive impact on the lives of local people. I look forward to seeing what they can achieve over the next 12 months.”